Heritage

1600 the earliest building is raised.

1797 The central farmhouse known as Elms Farm was built by the De Gruchy family. The working farm was devoted to apple trees until it gradually gave way to the twin crops of potatoes and cauliflowers.

1940 The Germans occupied Jersey and the ability to maintain the farm in good condition was impaired. After the war, the family's care of the property disappeared; the land was let, the buildings sank into disrepair and a pathetic squalor took over.

1968 The farm had become dilapidated and sold to the Blayney family. They restored the house and reversed its fortunes.

1972 Robert and Ann Blayney planted Jersey's first commercial vineyard and developed La Mare to include not just vineyards but also the Jersey Distillery and the Jersey Farmhouse Provision range

1976 The estate, which was six acres in size opened to visitors and developed into a major tourism attraction.

1978 In response to a demand for genuine Jersey goods, a range of preserves and mustards was launched. Using last century recipes, such as the traditional Black Butter, La Mare developed the widest and best known range of preserves on the island.

1994 To keep up with the demand of Apple Brandy production the original distillery from Calvados was inaugurated.

1997 Retiring to a less hectic life, Robert and Ann sold La Mare to the current owner.

1998 Tim Crowley was appointed to manage the estate and Simon Day as the estate wine consultant.

2004 Daniel De Carteret was appointed wine maker and production manager.

2007 The company won the NatWest Best Small Business Category and then went on to win the Jersey Telecom Best Business of the Year Award. It was La Mare's rapid transformation from a small tourist attraction business to a professionally managed wine estate that impressed the judges.

2007 Managing Director Tim Crowley expanded the visitor and conference business.

2008 Award winning products: La Mare Black Butter is awarded 2 gold stars and the Cider Mustard 1 gold star from the prestigious and independent Great Taste Awards 2008

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Links to companies or organisations associated with the La Mare Estate

Green Tourism

Green Tourism Business Scheme

The La Mare Wine Estate Team are passionate about our environmental responsibilities.  The business shows commitment to legal compliance and strives for continuous improvement and initiatives throughout the company.  La Mare Wine Estate supports the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) who are the national sustainable tourism certificate for the UK. www.green-business.co.uk

How La Mare Wine Estate strives towards a 'Green' business are detailed below:

In the Vineyard and Orchard:

• Recycled pallet board mulch and weed matting are used within the Vineyard and Orchard.
• We will be incorporating further mulch trials in 2010 to include crushed oyster shells.
• Reduction of herbicides, fungicides and insecticides in the Vineyard and Orchard.
• We have an integrated spray programme based upon incidence of disease.  Not calender spray.
• We have created wildlife habitats within the the wind breaks.
• We are having a Owl Box and Kestrel Box put up on the edge of the Orchard and Paddock.  The area is an ideal habitat for them to hunt, nest and breed.
• Composting of garden waste from the grounds.
• Use of Vineyard and Orchard as educational tool within tours, walks, school visits and picnics.
• Cooking oils are collected to be recycled into Bio-fuel that run 'minibus direct' transport.  See www.jerseyminibus.com and www.jerseybiofuels.com
• The 19 acres of Vineyard and Orchard offset Carbon Dioxide production and fuel usage.
• There are plans to plant another 6 acres.
• The Estate gardens incorporate a diverse range of trees and bushes to provide the perfect habitat for birds.

In the Production Area:

• Waste Cardboard, Hazardous materials and Glass is segregated and collected by the Jersey Transport and Technical Services for recycling www.gov.je/TransportTechnicalServices/Recycling+and+waste=management/
• La Mare choose  a rubbish collector uses 100% biodiesel in their trucks.
• We reuse the cardboard packaging from our own retail outlets for internal and external packaging.
• The recycled glass content in bottles is 10% and jars 15%.
• Collected rain water from the roof is used for wash down and tank cooling.
• Hot water from the condenser is recirculated through our radiators.
• Steam is used to clean the tanks, minimum use of caustic and citric. No use of chlorine based sanitisers.
• The grape and apple pulp waste is used for animal feed and composted by the States of Jersey.
• Equipment investment to increase efficiency and reduce fuel/labour input.
• Toilets use run off water for flushing.  Light switch and extraction on sensor.
• Ingenuity with use of waste buckets/timber/metal in general engineering projects around the site.

In the Tourism/Shop Area:

• Members of the public visiting us by bus are given a 5% discount on their ticket for the wine tasting tour.
• La Mare Wine Estate is on Cycle route 1, details of which are in the Jersey Cycle Map and also in the Jersey telephone directory.  For cycle hire and further cycle routes click www.jerseytravelservice.co.uk/the-island_cycling.phtml
• We recycle cardboard boxes for use in our mail-order deliveries.
• The majority of the stock in our St. Mary and St. Helier shops are sourced locally therefore having a low carbon footprint.
• Within the wine tasting tour only one glass per person is used for the tasting of 3 wines.
• Silver spoons and bread are provided for tastings of preserves, not plastic disposable spoons.
• Out of date tourism leaflets are sent back to Jersey Tourism to recycle.
• Recyclable cardboard boxes are provided to carry wine.
• Staff are reminded not to waste water when washing up, boiling kettles, and in general cleaning.
• La Mare produced 50th Anniversary of Durrell labels for the range of our wines for sale therefore supporting fellow green tourist attractions
• We are in the process of changing to biothene plastic bags that are biodegradable in UV light.
• Our ticket form is to be changed next season so that they are re-usable.
• Information board has been put up to communicate and show pictures of the Green Management in place on the vineyard.

In the Office Areas:

• Recycled paper brought in wherever possible for folders, printing paper and envelopes.
• All used paper collected to use for scrap use if not sensitive.
• We buy ink cartridges as advised by the manufacturers for printers and photocopier.  All cartridges are then saved and returned to local supplier who give to charity for recycling.
• Heating and cooling system rarely used.  Doors propped open in summer to get breeze through and insulation excellent and recirculated hot water used for radiator heat in winter.
• Mail emailed wherever possible.  Emails have message to say not to print unless necessary and has 'Green Tourism' Logo.
• All computers and stand by lights turned off when not in use apart from main back up computer and fax.
• Lights are turned off during day if leave office and site checked before leaving at night.
• Recycled bags used for rubbish.
• Used stamps are collected for Jersey Hospice charity.
• Our packaging supplier plants a tree per order.
• Litter is continually collected from around the site - all staff are responsible.
• Paper, cardboard and glass collected and put into correct bins.
• Tap water is used for general drinking and tea/coffee - no plastic bottles.
• Staff encouraged to travel to work environmentally. For information on bus routes click www.mybus.je For information on walking routes click www.jersey.com/walking and For information on cycling click www.Jerseytravelservice.co.uk/the-island_cycling
• Low energy bulbs and sensors are used within the building to conserve energy.  For further information on how to save energy click www.jec.co.uk/section/67/index.html

Download our Environmental Charter

Download our Responsible Visitor Charter

Other Green Tourism Local Award Winners:

Jersey Kayak Adventures - Silver Green Tourism Award

Discover sea kayaking with Jersey Kayak Adventures.  Experience the beauty and tranquility of a sea kayak around Jersey's stunning coastline.  For further details see:  http://www.jerseykayakadventures.co.uk